Toy building construction



Nov. 17, 1931. E. ROGERS, JR 1,832,584

TOY BUILDING couswaucnow Filed April 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 17, 1931. E. l. ROGERS, JR

TOY BUILDING cons'rnucmou Filed April 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 222 272 far #7 7; M23 m r. a d r Patented Nov. 17,1931

UN TAT S PATENT OFFICE EVERETT ravine ROGERS, .13., or PROVIDENCE, nnonn ISLAND TOY BUILDING oonsr'mro'rroiv Application filed. April 22,

light metal tubing, such as aluminum.

. My invention includes hollow members preferably tubing preferably provided with an inwardly projecting groove therein and preferably provided with two diametrically .15 opposed grooves o f this'type. The grooves not only assist in binding the various parts of my invention togetherbut they also materiallystrengthen the tubing. I -providemeans to secure the pieces of tubing together .20 at anglesto eachiother preferably substan tially in the same plane comprising clip members each having a'split tubular headadapted to surround one pieceof tubing and attaching prongs projecting outwardly. from the edges of the split in said head having spaced lower portions of substantially hemitubular form registering-within an end of a second piece of tubing abutting an inwardly projecting groove thereof to secure said ..30 tubing to said clip against rotative movement thereon and preferably also inwardly inclined portions above said hemi-tubular portions. With this construction it is pos sible to secure the head of said clip member to the first piece of tubing andby sliding said first piece of tubing within until it is brought to the desired angle with'relation to the desired position of a second piece of 1 tubing and indenting a'portion of said head 40 within saidgroove to secure said head to said tubing against rotative movement thereon. Afterthe second piece of tubinghas been in serted over the prongs it is possible to burnish or turn overthe ends ofsaid second a5 piece of tubing over the inclined portions of 1930. Serial No. 446,371.

ing groove thereon, it, is obvious that said clip member is secured to said second piece of tubing against rotative movementtherein by said groove. Objects of my invention therefore are to provide a toy or model building construction including tubing and hollow members preferably clip members for attaching two pieces of said tubing together at angles to each other. With one type of clip the pieces of tubing are attached approximatelyat right angles to each other. If it is desired to attach said pieces of tubing at other than at right angles to each other the clip members are constructed so as to be piv otable. I also preferably construct the heads of the clip member so that when attached it will be'of slightly smaller periphery than that of thepiece of tubing embraced, thereby to additionally squeezesaid head around the tubing to bind it thereto and in attach ing the second piece of'tubing over the prongs to compress'them so that the expansive action of the prongs will function additionally piece of desired portions of the clip head within the tubing groove. While I preferably employ inwardly grooved round tubing, it is obvioils that the clip members and hollow members may be of any desired shape so as to prevent relative turning movement between the clips and hollow members.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate various embodiments thereof employing inwardly grooved tubing.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 isa perspective view of an aeroplane fuselage constructed from the elements of my invention.

Figs. 2 and 2 are perspective views of different sized lengths of tubing which may be employed.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation and Fig. 3" a side elevation of a clip member. adapted to attach two pieces of tubing of the same relative size together.

Fig. i is an end elevation and Fig. 4 a side elevation of a clip member suitable'for attaching a smaller piece of tubing toa larger piece of tubing embraced by the head thereof.

Fig. 5 is an end elevatiomqand 5 aside elevation of a clip member adapted to attach alargerpiece of tubing to a smaller piece of tubing embraced by the'head thereof.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the step. of sliding the clip member over'the first .piece of tubing.

.Fig. 7 is axperspective view showing a clip attached around the first pieceof tubing-and a second piece of tubing about tobe inserted overthe prongs of said clip.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the second piece of tubing inserted over the prongsof the clip member.

Fig. 9-is a perspective=view--sl1owinghow the head of the clip member-may beindented within the groove in the first'piece of'tubing to secure saidhead to said first piece of tubing against rotative movement and'how the ends of said second piece of tubing maybe bent over theinclinedportions ofsaid prongs r to secure saidsecondpieceof tubing to-said clip against longitudinal movement.

Fig. 10 a cross-sectional-viewtaken along theline 1010 of Fig. 8 showing how the prongs fit in between-the grooves-in'the second piece of tubing.

11 is a -longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 1111'o'f'Fig. 9 also showing-how the prongs fit in-between the grooves and'how a portion of the=head-may be indented within the groove.

Fig. 12 is a plan :view'showing how porti onsof'the head of:the clip member may be indentedwithinithe groove inthe first .piece of tubingito, secure :it thereto. against 'rotative movement thereon.

Fig. 18 is ajdisassembled perspective view .of an alternate form of Clipmember which maybe-employed whenitis desired-to attach two piecesof tubing together at an oblique angle.

l l is a perspective view of the clip member shown in Fig. 13 attached to two pieces of tubing.

In the drawings. wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, 20 and 20 indicate standard lengthsof tubling constructed in accordance with "the principles of my invention, thetubingshown as 20 in Fig. 2 being of larger size than the tubing shown as 20" in :Fig. 2". Figs. 8

--movement thereon.

.size together. In the embodiment shown in Figs. at, and 4 the head 24.- of the clip mem- -'ber is of alarger periphery than the pcriphery ofthe split prongs 26 to attach a smaller piece of tubing to a larger piece of tubing. In the embodiment shown in Figs.

5 and 5 the split head 24 of the clip member is of a smaller periphery than theiperiphery ofthe prongs 26 tl1ereof toattach a larger piece of-tubing to a smaller piece of tubing.

As shown in the drawings the pieces of tubing 20 and 20" are preferably provided with inwardly projecting grooves 28, preferably two as-shown on diametrically oppositesides of said tubing for a purpose to be described. The clip member 22 is provided with the split tubular head :adapted to surround a piece of tubing-30 and attaching prongs projecting outwardly from theedges 32 of the 'splitportion of'saidhead having spaced lower portions 26 of substantially ihemi-tubular formand of a size to compactly'register within an end of asecond piece of 'tubmg '34 prefer-ably as-shown in Fig'lO between the inwardly projecting grooves 28 thereof to secure said tubing to said clip against rotative Said prongs are also preferably provlded for a purpose to be described with=the inwardly inclined portions 36 above said hemi-tubular portions 26.

=Figs.6'9 Show the steps necessary to attach the second piece of tubing 34 to the first piece of'tuhing 30. The'prongs 26 of the'clip 22 are split apart so that the clip '22 may be spread laterally so that the head 24 thereof may embrace-the first'piece of tubing 30 as shownin Fig. 6 afterwhic'h when the prongs are pinched together so as to compactly fit within the end 38 o'f-the second piece of tubing34. As shown inFig. 7-the end SS o'f said second piece of tubing '34 is placedopposite the prongs 26 and forced upwardly so that the prongs 26 may register within the end "39 of saidsecond piece of tubing preferablyhetween the grooves 28 thereof to secure said second piece of tubing against rotative movement on'said clip. To secure the head .24 of said clip -member 22 against rotative movement on saidfirst piece of tubing 30 portions 40 of the head thereof-are indented inwardly within-the groove'28. To'securethe second 'pieceoftubing 34 against longitudinal movement from said clip 22 the end portion 38 thereof is burnished over said inclined portions 32 as at 42 asshown in 'Fig. 9.

To make the action of the clip also a wedge action the split tubular head 24 of said clip is when the wedge prongs 26 are resiliently retained within said second piece of tubing;

The prongs 26 are also constructed to have a tendency to spread apart when inserted within the end 38, thus also resiliently tending to additionally bind said prongs 26 within said end 38 of said second piece of tubing34.

' In Figs. 13 and'14 I have shown a slightly different embodiment of my improved clip member including a pivotalportion in the prongs thereof. In this'embodiment the head 24 is provided with the flat extensions 44 pro- 1 jecting outwardly from the'edges 32 of thesplit in said head 24 and the prongs 26 are provided with an upwardly projecting flat portion 46 above the inclined portions 36 thereof insertable between the portions 44 projecting from said head 24 and pivotally attachable thereto by means of the pivot pin 48. Said head 24 and prongs 28 are pivotally attached together by said pivot pin so that when relatively tilted they will remain in a set position. This type of clip is employed when it is desired to attach the two pieces of tubing together at angles other than right angles for which the preferred type of clip shown in'Figs. 3-10 is employed.

It is also apparent that if desired the meme bers 30 and 34 may consist of hollow members of any configuration,preferably shaped so as to prevent the clip member fromiturning relative thereto, such as square, triangular, etc.,

and that as the shape of the hollow members are varied so must the shape of the clip members be correspondingly varied. It is apparent that the grooves 28 not only permit the locking action in a manner heretofore described, but that they also strengthen the tubing. I have shown in Fig. 1 an aeroplane fuselage built up of my improved pieces 7 of tubing and clip members. Relatively long pieces of tubing 50 may be employed for the longitudinal ribs of the fuselage and said" longitudinal ribs may be joined together by the horizontal and vertical cross struts 52. In making up the fuselage body it is obvious that the cross struts 52 will be attached to the longitudinal ribs at substantially right angles to each other and therefore that the clip members 22 shown in Figs. 39 may beemployed. The frame 54 for attaching the landing wheels thereto consists of V-shaped pieces of tubing depending from the lower longitudinal ribs and as it in this instance has the upper end of the V portion thereof attached to the lower longitudinal ribs50 at an angle the type of clip member 22' shown in Figs. 13 and 14 may be employed. The tubing and clip members may be constructed of any desired material, such as metal, celluloid, brassQ composition, etc, but in making model aeroplanes of a flying lightness I pref-- erably use the hollow aluminum. tubing shown and so far as I am-aware I am the first to provide an all metal toy aeroplane fuselage. I employthe word toy to include models of any sort, working models or otherwise.

It is thus obvious that I have provided a novel type of toy building construction which may be put together by a boy in relativeeasy fashion and which is particularly desirable for use in building toy aeroplane fuselages. It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. That I claim is: 7 '1. In a toy building construction, in combination, a piece of relatively thin tubing having diametrically opposite inwardly pressed portions forming grooves in, the outer tubing having a portion thereof indented within an inwardly pressedportion thereof to retain said clip to said tubing against rotative movement thereon and a portion proj ecting downwardly therefrom and a prong member having a portion pivotally connected to said portion of said clip means, and attaching prongs projecting "downwardly there from having spacedlower portions of substantially hemi-tubular form registering within an end of said second piece of tubing within the edges thereof abutting the inward ly pressed portions thereof to secure said tubing to said clip against rotative movement thereon, and inwardly inclined portions above said hemi-tubular portions, said second piece of tubing having a portion of an end thereof turned over said inclined portions of the clip to retain said second piece of tubing against longitudinal movement from a said clip the tubular head ofsaid clip being of slightly smaller periphery than that of said first piece of tubing when the wedge prongs thereof are surround one piece of tubing and attachingprongs projecting outwardly from said head having spaced lower portions of substantial- =bination, a piece of relatively thin tubing' thereof to secure said tubing to said clip against rotative movement thereon.

3. 111 a toy builchng construction, in comhaving an inwardly pressed portion forming a groove in the outer surface and a :projection on the inner surface of the tube, a second piece of'relatively thin tubing similarly shaped, and means for joining said pieces of tubing together at right angles to each other in the same plane, comprising clip means having a split tubular head adapted to surround one piece of tubing having a portion thereof indented within a pressed portion thereof to retain said clip to said tubing against rotative movement thereon and a portion projecting downwardly therefrom and a prong member having a portion pivotally connected to said portion of said clip means and attaching prongs projecting downwardly therefrom having spaced lower portions of substantially helm-tubular form registering within an end of said second piece of tubing abutting the edges of the inwardly projecting pressed portion thereof to secure said tubing to said chp agalnst rotative movement thereon, and inwardly inclined por-,

tions above said hemi-tubular portions, said second piece of tubing having a portion of an end thereof turned over said inclined portions of the clip to retain said second piece of tubing against longitudinal movement from said clip, the tubular head of said clip being of slightly smaller peripherythan that of said first piece of tubing when the wedge prongs thereof are resiliently retained within said second piece of tubing to assist in binding said clips to said pieces of tubing.

t. In a toy building construction, in combination, a piece of relatively thin tubing a second piece of relatively thin tubing having inwardly pressed portions forming grooves in the outer surface and projections on the inner surface of the tube, and means for joining said pieces of tubing together at angles to each other in the same plane, comprising a clip member having a split tubular head adapted to surround one piece of tubing, and attaching prongs projecting outwardly from the edges of the split in said head having spaced lower portions of substantially hemi-tubular form registeringwithin an end of said second piece of'tubing between the projections thereof to secure said tubing to said clip against rotative movement thereon.

5. In a toy building construction, in combination, a piece of relatively thin tubing having an inwardly pressed portion forming 'a groove in the outer surface and a projection on the inner surface-of the tube, a second piece of relatively thin tubing similarly shaped, and means for joining saidgpieces of tubing together at angles to each other in the same plane comprising a clip member having aisplit tubular head adapted to surround one piece of tubing having a portion thereof indented within a pressed portion thereof to retain said clip to said'tubing against rotative movement thereon and attaching prongs projecting outwardly from the edges of the split in said head having spaced lower portions of substantially hemi-tubular form registering within an end of said second piece of tubing abutting the edges of the inwardly projecting pressed portion thereof to secure said tubing to said clip against rotative move ment thereon and inwardly inclined portions above said hemi-tubular portions, said second piece of tubing having a portion of an end thereof turned over an inclined portion of the clip to retain said second piece of tubing against longitudinal movement from said clip.

(3. In a toy building construction, in combination, a piece of relatively thin tubing, a second piece of relatively thin tubing hav ing inwardly pressed portions forming grooves in the outer surface and projections on the inner surface of the tube, and means for joining said pieces of tubing together at angles to each other in the same plane, comprising a clip member having a split tubular head adapted to surround one piece of tubing and attaching prongs projecting outwardly from the edges of the split in said head having spaced lower portions of sub-' stantially hemi-tubular form registering within an end of said second piece of tubing abutting the edges of the inwardly projectin pressed portions thereof to secure said tubing to said clip against rotative move-' ment thereon, the tubular head of said clip being of slightly smaller periphery than that of said first piece of tubing when the prongs thereof are resiliently retained within said second piece of tubing to assist in binding said clip to said piece of tubing.

7. In a toy building construction, in co1nbination, a piece of tubing, a second piece of tubing having an inwardly pressed portion forming a groove in the outer surface and a projection on the inner surface of the tube, and means for joining said pieces of tubing together at angles to each other in the same plane, comprising a clip member having a split tubular head adapted to surround one piece of tubing and attaching prongs projecting outwardly from the edges of the split in said head having spaced lower portions of substantially hemi-tubular form registering within an end of said second piece of tubing abutting the edges of the projections thereof to secure said tubing to said clip against rotative movement thereon and inwardly inclined portions above said hemi-tubular portions, said second piece of tubing having a portion of an end thereof burnished over an inclined portion of the clip to retain said second piece of tubing against longitudinal movement from said clip.

8. In a toy building construction, in combination, a piece of tubing, a second piece of tubing having inwardly pressed portions forming grooves in the outer surface and projections on the inner surface of the tube, and means for joining said pieces of tubing together at right angles to each other in the same plane, comprising clip means having a split tubular head adapted to surround one piece of tubing and a portion projecting downwardly therefrom and a prong member having a portion pivotally connected to said portion of said clip means and attaching prongs projecting downwardly therefrom having spaced lower portions of substantially hemi-tubular form registering within an end of said second piece of tubing with the edges thereof abutting the edges of the inwardly projecting pressed portions thereof to secure said tubing to said clip against rotative movement thereon.

9. A toy building element, comprising clip means having a split tubular head adapted to surround a piece of tubing and a portion projecting downwardly therefrom and a prong member having a portion pivotally connected to said portion of said clip means and attaching prongs projecting downwardly therefrom having spaced lower portions of substantially hemi-tubular form and in- Wardly inclined portions. above said hemitubular portions. I i

10. Ina construction for toy airplanes, the combination of a piece of light tubing, a second piece of light tubing and clip means adapted to encircle one piece of tubing and having ends adapted to be inserted into the other piece of tubing for attaching the two pieces of tubing together, the ends of said clip being so constructed and arranged as throughout their length to engage the inner wall of the tube whereby said clip is frictionally held in said tube independently of additional clamping means.

11. In a construction for toy airplanes, the combination of a piece of light tubing, a second piece of light tubing and clip means adapted to encircle one piece of tubing and having ends adapted to be inserted into the other piece of tubingfor attaching the two pieces of tubing together, the ends of said clip being so constructed and arranged as throughout their length to engage the inner wall of the tube whereby said clip is frictionally held in said tube independently of additional clamping means, the ends of the second piece of tubing being bent inwardly toward the clip means into engagement therewith.

12. In a construction fortoy airplanes, the combination of a piece of longitudinally corrugated light tubing, a second piece of longitudinally corrugated light tubing, and clip means adapted to encircle one piece of tubing and having its ends adapted to be inserted into the other piece of tubing with the ends of the clip cooperating with the corrugations of the other piece of tubing for holding the clip and tubing non-rotatively together.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. EVERETT IRVING ROGERS, JR. 

